For Immediate Release: November 12, 2024
Media Contact: Max Wing | max@downtownindy.org

Downtown Indy, Inc. celebrates holiday season with Winter Wanderland marketing campaign

Central Indiana invited to explore Downtown destinations with paid media campaign, holiday activations and annual Circle of Lights® celebration

INDIANAPOLIS – Today, Nov. 12, civic nonprofit Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII) announced the launch of Winter Wanderland, a marketing campaign intended to shine a spotlight on the diverse holiday programming in Downtown Indianapolis. Running through Dec. 31, the campaign uses a dynamic mix of environmental, print, and digital assets to position Downtown Indy as the region’s premier holiday destination. With creative support from Lodge Design, Winter Wanderland highlights the 62nd annual Downtown Indy, Inc. Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW 481 in addition to nine of Downtown’s iconic attractions and their respective holiday programming.

“From our annual Circle of Lights celebration to iconic entertainment, programming and destinations, Downtown Indianapolis has long been Central Indiana’s holiday hub,” said DII President & CEO Taylor Schaffer. “Now, with the holiday season upon us, DII is thrilled to spearhead a marketing campaign that packages all that Downtown has to offer under one festive campaign. Through signage and creative assets intentionally placed across the Central Indiana, Downtown Indy will welcome people into a ‘Winter Wanderland’ for residents and visitors to explore.”

The Winter Wanderland microsite, www.indywanderland.com, will serve as a one-stop resource for Downtown holiday activities and events. Audiences can discover curated “Holiday Agendas” tailored for different types of outings — such as date nights, family trips, and teen-friendly events — and create their own festive itineraries. The campaign also includes a Winter Wanderland social media series, with static and animated icons promoting holiday events across DII and partner attraction pages. The second year of DII’s “12 Days of Takeovers” will also run from Dec. 1-12, featuring Downtown attractions and local influencers highlighting the magic of Downtown via DII’s Instagram stories.

Environmental elements will bring the Downtown holiday spirit to life throughout the city, including a custom-wrapped IndyGo bus, the “Holi-Yay Express,” which will double as a photo op and warming station at the Circle of Lights® lighting ceremony on Nov. 29. Billboards will be installed at high traffic corridors in Marion County featuring holiday attractions, helping to drive traffic to the Wanderland microsite. Residents and visitors can also find campaign signage at the Indianapolis International Airport, Indiana Convention Center, Bicentennial Unity Plaza’s “Sphere” installation, and more. Free holiday maps, showing Downtown programming and holiday itineraries, can be picked up from attractions, hotels, and businesses across Downtown and adjacent neighborhoods.

Featured Winter Wanderland attractions include:

Circle of Lights® presented by IBEW Local 481 (Nov. 29-Jan. 10)
Athenaeum Christkindlmarkt (Nov. 29-Dec. 22)
Christmas at the Indianapolis Zoo (Nov. 23-Jan. 5)
Eiteljorg Museum Jingle Rails (Nov. 16-Jan. 20)
Elevance Health Rink Ice Skating on Bicentennial Unity Plaza (Nov. 22-Jan. 26)
Indiana Historical Society Festival of Trees (Nov. 15-Jan. 4)
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra Yuletide Celebration (Dec. 6-23)
Indiana Repertory Theatre’s A Christmas Carol (Nov. 18-Dec. 24)
Indiana State Museum Celebration Crossing (Nov. 29-Jan. 5)
Mass Ave Cultural Arts District

In addition to a comprehensive holiday marketing campaign, event planning by DII and its partners is well underway to deliver an unforgettable Downtown experience for residents and visitors alike. Circle of Lights® – Indy's most time-honored holiday tradition – celebrates its 62nd anniversary on Nov. 29, the day after Thanksgiving. The annual celebration on Monument Circle will feature a festive lighting ceremony and on-site activations in unison with a live show starting at 6 p.m. America’s Got Talent Season 19 winner Richard Goodall, musical acts chosen from the Tom Wood Talent Search, and more local performers will contribute to Downtown’s holiday vibrancy. The winner of the AES Indiana Coloring Contest will help “flip the switch” alongside Santa just after 6:50 p.m., marking the start of the holiday season. Learn more about Circle of Lights® at https://downtownindy.org/events/circle-of-lights

Following Circle of Lights®, a modified version of SPARK on the Circle will remain open in tandem with the holiday season. Every Saturday and Sunday from 4-8 p.m. through Dec. 22, “SPARK Holidays on the Circle” will feature themed musical performances and appearances from Santa Claus within the northwest bollards of the Circle, allowing vehicular traffic to access the roundabout and take in the holiday spectacle. DII and its partners have been intentional in ensuring that children and families who attend SPARK get to celebrate the holidays with a Santa that embraces cultural diversity and is reflective of our Marion County population. During SPARK festivities, hot cocoa and coffee will be available for purchase from the Container Café. SPARK is made possible by DII, Big Car Collaborative, and the Indianapolis Department of Metropolitan Development with support from the Capital Improvement Board and the Indiana War Memorials Commission.

Volunteer Opportunities

DII welcomes volunteers to support holiday events. The evening of Circle of Lights®, volunteers can help in a variety of roles including direction assistance, VIP hospitality, and crowd management. All volunteers will be provided with parking, an evening meal, and holiday swag. SPARK Holidays on the Circle will require help from volunteers who will queue in lines for Santa and provide hospitality touchpoints for visitors. Volunteers can also join in a community clean-up on Nov. 26 to spruce up the Mile Square and usher in the holiday season.

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About Downtown Indy, Inc.

For more than three decades, Downtown Indy, Inc. (DII) has partnered with businesses, property owners, and Downtown stakeholders to ensure Downtown Indianapolis is the vibrant, welcoming, and fun heart of Indiana’s cultural and economic life. DII serves as Downtown’s primary place-based management organization, collaborating and executing on large-scale events, public space programming, cleanliness and beautification initiatives, and investments in public safety. www.downtownindy.org